NetSupport Radio

Mark Anderson (ICT Evangelist) chats to Al Kingsley about their upcoming Digital Strategy Guide.

Being conscious that for many schools, the purchase of new edtech starts with how much money is available that year, Mark and Al have worked together to create a guide for all stakeholders in a school to enable them to look at the bigger picture and formulate more long-lasting plans. Packed with information, tips and just some of the questions schools should be considering when planning a digital strategy, the guide is intended to help them purchase the right solutions that deliver the impact that they require.

The full title of the guide is, "A Guide to Creating a Digital Strategy in Education" and free copies will be distributed to visitors to NetSupport's stand at Bett 2020.

NetSupport’s MD, Al Kingsley, chats to Henry Platten (founder of GoBubble and eCadets) about the Bett show and NetSupport’s plans for the upcoming 2020 event. 

Rather than regarding Bett simply as a ‘trade show’, both agreed that it’s a fantastic event to meet peers, connect with customers and make new contacts. Al mentions that at last year’s event, NetSupport created a speaker zone on their stand and invited respected people in the education sector to present, share and connect – and due to its success, that’s going to be repeated at for 2020.

A big part of NetSupport’s presence at the show is going to be NetSupport Radio, which, this year, will be the ‘official broadcaster of Bett’! Once again featuring renowned broadcaster, Russell Prue (founder of Anderton Tiger) as the host, everyone will be kept well informed with interviews from a range of top education sector guests and students.

The Westwood-with-Iford Primary School's student broadcasters interview NetSupport’s Al Kingsley.

Al answers questions from the team about who/what was his inspiration when growing up; how he is involved in schools and education; how important edtech is in schools today; where to start when thinking up new product ideas - and many more!

Mark Anderson talks to Al Kingsley and Henry Platten about how to boost teachers' confidence when it comes to using edtech in the classroom.

Al explains how NetSupport's classroom management solution, NetSupport School, has been specifically designed to give teachers a sense of control and a chance to develop their skills as they go - while Mark and Henry discuss the importance of sharing learning, whether it's between teachers in their own school or across different countries.

Al Kingsley, Henry Platten and Mark Anderson chat about CPD for teachers in the face of school budget cuts.

What can schools and teachers do to maintain continued professional development when there's no spare money for it in the budget? Quite a bit, as it happens: from staff being given the time to share experiences with each other, inviting staff from other schools to discuss certain topics, or networking and asking questions on social media - schools can ensure that teachers are kept in the loop about latest developments in their education specialism or are given the opportunity to share experiences in a non-pressured environment.

Henry Platten leads the discussion with Al Kingsley and Mark Anderson about the evolution of Safeguarding and eSafety.

Al gives a run-down of NetSupport DNA's school safeguarding tools, explaining that they can highlight the key issues that need immediate attention. Context is key to enable them to distinguish between genuine issues and topics that may be being studied in class.

Henry and Mark discuss safeguarding outside of school, mentioning the importance of parental engagement, setting a good example of Digital Citizenship, ensuring parental controls are activated on home broadband, and more.

On the last NetSupport Radio broadcast of Bett 2019, Russell Prue spoke to lots of students from Birchwood Primary and Lanchester EP Primary Schools, including Joe and Fern from Birchwood School who had spoken in front of the audience about online safety – and Rachel and Annie from Lanchester EP School who had given a presentation about how to stay safe and protect identities on social media.

NetSupport Radio host Russell Prue had a very busy day 3 at Bett 2019, hosting and interviewing a range of Bett visitors as well as supporting the students from Westwood with Iford primary school in hosting their very own school radio show live from the NetSupport Stand.

Day 2 of Bett 2019 and Russell Prue was joined by a whole host of guest speakers on NetSupport Radio including Al Kingsley who explained what the new contextual-based Risk Index safeguarding feature is all about, Nic Ford from Bolton School who was discussing rollout tips for edtech, as well as Katie Henry and Mark Anderson who were discussing the two questions that you should ask before you buy your next edtech tool.

Our host Russell Prue had a very busy first day at Bett interviewing a variety of visitors and exhibitors at the show including Al Kingsley who summed up what’s happening at Bett 2019 for NetSupport, Tony Cann (founder of Promethean) who spoke about his new offering Learning By Questions, Craig from Viewsonic about moving into the IFP (Interactive Flat Panel), Sal McKeown and Anna Pedroza about their hints and tips for interest and coverage at Bett 2019, plus many more!